1. struggle, striving. Effort,application,endeavor,exertion imply actions directed or force expended toward a definite end. Effort is an expenditure of energy to accomplish some objective: He made an effort to control himself.Application is continuous effort plus careful attention: constant application to duties.Endeavor means a continued and sustained series of efforts to achieve some, often worthy and difficult, end: a constant endeavor to be useful.Exertion is the vigorous and often strenuous expenditure of energy, frequently without an end: out of breath from exertion.